Published at Saturday, 21 September 2019. Wedding Ring. By France Lereau.

Most people know that a wedding ring is symbolic of the bond of love and commitment between two people. But not everyone knows about the history behind this small yet powerful symbol. The history of the wedding ring goes back not just hundreds but thousands of years. No other currently practiced wedding tradition has been around as long.

In many areas of Africa, revolutionary groups have taken over some of the diamond mines using proceeds to finance their illegal operations. These diamonds are referred to as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. The United Nations instituted a system of controlling diamonds that were taken from these groups by insisting that all of the legal diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate of sale as they moved through the system but the system has not worked well. Today, these blood diamonds total less than 2% of the overall market share.

It is interesting to note that in the long history of the wedding ring that it is only in the last century that men have begun to wear them. However, now both men and women show their love and commitment by exchanging rings on their wedding day. Once you begin shopping for rings you may be amazed by the choices that await you. There are several different types of metals: traditional gold, white gold, platinum, and titanium. You can have an inscription put on the inside of the band if you like. Some people are even choosing a tattoo band. The styles vary from a simple, yet elegant band to an elaborate ring covered with jewels. If you do not buy the wedding and engagement rings as a set you will want to be sure the styles are compatible. Choose carefully because this choice will need to stand the test of eternity.